Additional troubleshooting resources. We parked the truck at a red gate and began hiking down the service road. I have only done a small portion of this beautiful trail but every step is well worth the effort. The Foothills Trail is a point-to-point hike, and it's on the longer side, especially if you're not used to big-mile days with a pack. Both State and Federal agencies have taken over management responsibilities in recent years, and this section of South Carolina has some of the best backcountry wilderness in the Southeast with numerous waterfalls, suspension bridges, and streams. There were plenty of views and beautiful streams and waterfalls this time of year. While the solitude of the first part of my hike was very nice it was good to have company. Experience this 30.4-mile point-to-point trail near Sunset, South Carolina. On top of Heartbreak Ridge, we heard 4 large birds . Cross Bear Creek campsite is nice but you have to hang your own bear line. This route was very challenging, but worth it in the end, when you are back home with your feet up :), Laurel Fork Falls to Canebrake Point-to-point using boat shuttle. We had reached Burrells Ford by 1pm and pushed on towards Fish Hatchery Road. This has been by far my favorite hike Ive done in recent years. At mile 28.9 there is a side trail to Whitewater Falls, at mile 30.1 Corbin Creek Falls, a small waterfall at mile 35.5 and a blue blaze to Hillard Falls at mile marker 36.5. Though technically a four-season trail, the heat and humidity from May through September can be oppressive. Dont take it for granted.The shuttle service ( Taz) is the best.Went from Oconne to Table Rock. If not, then I will assess what my body tells me it will do. What I had failed to realize it that the next mile of the trail is know as Heart Break Ridge. Waterfalls abound, their distinctive rush mixes with sounds of wind and wildlife. An awe inspiring trek from Table Rock State Park through the foothills of the Southeastern Appalachian Mountains to Oconee State Park which features the Jocassee River gorges, Sassafras Mountain, and the Wild and Scenic Chattooga River. Around 4:15 we started the hike to the Bad Creek parking lot. It was breathtaking to be able to turn all the way around and see the smoky mist below me in every direction. The terrain, tread, and gradesfrom riverside meandering to lung-busting steepall reflect the AT in its Georgia, Tennessee, and North Carolina incarnations. Volunteers should be reimbursed fairly for their generous donations of time and gasoline. Did the 5 day plan. Thankfully volunteers have put steps into the dirt and rock to enable hikers to negotiate the steep trail. It wasnt that bad going east to west but it definitely doesnt look fun the opposite direction. Hey, Mike N. Im the author of this piece. The park also has a store and gift shop with limited groceries to fuel your post thru hike hunger. Lots of inclines and declines so pack light! Oconee is about 2.5 hours and Table Rock is about three hours from Atlanta. The Foothills Trail is a dream for section hikers. During this middle section of trail, the hiker will also get their first introduction to another essential attribute on the Foothills Trail. This trail is in South Carolina and North Carolina. Geology Guide to the Foothills Trail NOW AVAILABLE! Explore this 11.0-mile out-and-back trail near Montreat, North Carolina. Insects can be troublesome, especially mosquitoes and biting flies in warmer months. Hikers should fill up before ascending Sassafrass Mountain, particularly northbound; the climb is long and steep, and there are no water sources for 4.5 miles. What were the generally areas where you made camp each night? The section of the trail from Laurel Fork Creek to the Whitewater River is often referred to as the Gorges Section and was initially built and maintained by Duke Power Company as part of a licensing agreement for the construction of Lake Joccasee. Heartbreak Ridge Half Marathon. Death Valley Cottonwood-Marble Canyon Loop, CA, Smoky Mountains National Park Loop, NC / TN, Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport, Total elevation gain is 10,000-11,000 feet, depending on direction, Sustained climbs of more than 2,000 feet; some short, very steep sections, Heat and humidity can be a challenge from late spring through early fall, Dispersed camping allowed along most of the trail. You do need to watch for bears and bees, although the bees seem very tame. We made camp around 5:30 that evening and finished with a total of 20.5 miles for day 2. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. By Clay Bonnyman Evans, 2019 Foothills Trail Thru-Hiker. Day 4 was going to be all back tracking since we had to hike back to Bad Creek to meet my friend. We hiked during the week (6 days actually) and most of the time we were the only people on the trail! In a normal season, there is plentiful water all along the trail. Overall, south/westbound hikers (SWOBOs?) Mother Nature entertained us again with another mighty thunderstorm and downpour. The heat and humidity can be intense from mid-May through September. The trail crosses several roads leading to nearby small towns. Its unfair to reduce the Foothills Trail to a warm-up for the Appalachian Trail. After a week on the trail I had made it to my last night. Cross the NC/SC state line into North Carolina and continue for about a mile to the Whitewater Falls parking area which is marked with a large U.S. Forest Service sign. Another great waterfall and we got to see a wild turkey, actually flying which was rare. Water is plentiful. Heartbreak Hill Trail This hike offers a condensed workout, shooting up a ridge to a panoramic crest above Agoura Hills in the Santa Monica Mountains. It was very strenuous and not for the out-of-shape. The Star Gap Trail is a great short trail for hikers and bikers alike! We finished up with a little less than 10 miles for the day. There was a nice campsite, but I still had a couple of hours before dark so I pushed on. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. We actually drove past the designated parking lot on Horsepasture Rd (in a truck) to the intersection of Horsepasture and Laurel Fork Valley Rd (marked by a road sign on a fallen tree. Dismiss. This is a worthy trail in its own right, but many hikers use the Foothills Trail as a kind of shakedown, warm-up, or training-wheel expedition for an AT thru-hike. 4/8-10/22. Terms under which this service is provided to you. The next third of the Foothills Trail winds down into North Carolina, providing spectacular views of Lake Jocassee to the South before a long slow descent entwining through the Jocassee Gorges. The Catawba Falls trail is closed until spring of 2023. Length: 80.0 miles Type: One Way Surface: Various Difficulty: Difficult Trail Features: t Parking Trail Head Scenic Observation Waterfall Camping Point of Interest Water Launch Pets Fee Camping Summary: Whether you're looking for a day hike or planning a multi-day through-hike, the Foothills Trail offers adventures of every length and difficulty. In 2016, I hiked the Appalachian Trail; 2018, Foothills Trail and Alabama Pinhoti Trail; 2019, Great Plains Trail pilot trail in South Dakota and Nebraska; on April 7, 2021 I will start the Pacific Crest Trail. Navigation: The trail is well-marked with white blazes and easily navigable, though as always, you can get off track if you arent paying attention. Apr 25, 2020 at 8:30 AM . We had reached the access area by 2:30 that afternoon so I decided to push on past to the Thompson River and grab one of those sites. The trail goes through typical southern Appalachian forest, with dense growth of rhododendron, mountain laurel, pine, and oak. Fortunately, once I got to the lake I came upon a perfect hammock site on a cliff overlooking Lake Jocassee. The Foothills Trail is a part of the nearing completion Southern Appalachian Loop Trail. Day 4 was a short 3 miles but much of it was uphill. I really need to recover tonight. This is a 30 mile one day hike on the trail that is a fundraising event for CureSearch for Childrens Cancer. Beginning at mile 50 the trail slowly gains elevation, passing Laurel Falls (54.30) and Virginia Hawkins Falls (57.3) on the way up. The tread on most of the trail is largely free of rocks and roots, except for a few limited areas, making for pleasant hiking. Fitness Trail consists of 7 stations, two exercises per station on a 1/4 mile jogging path. Chattooga River Valley (miles 10.6-15.5): Many excellent places to swim and camp along the river, which was one of the locations for the movie Deliverance (but dont worry; there dont appear to be any crazed hillbillies in the area). And they were indeed smoky this morning. To learn more, please visit the About This Site page. I was so overheated and exhausted at this point that I was having dry heaves. You can hike for a few hours or spend days or a week or so hiking here and never do the same hike twice. Hopefully I will get a good nights rest and be ready to go in the morning. Click to reveal This website contains affiliate links, which means The Trek may receive a percentage of any product or service you purchase using the links in the articles or advertisements. Not unlike the AT, the Foothills Trail is more challenging at one end. There is abundant wildlife and hikers have a good chance of seeing deer, snakes, toads, frogs, raccoons, waterfowl, raptors, and even black bears.While youll find people around popular features such as Whitewater Falls and Lake Jocassee, the full trail offers plenty of solitude, including your choice of quiet, secluded sites available for dispersed camping on all but a few miles. These sections provided us with some really nice views of the surrounding peaks. 2.1 miles 600 feet: 34.1370,-118.7289: 180: Cistern, Lookout, and Cage Creek Trails This team of trails make a scenic descent to Century Lake for a short loop or longer hikes in Malibu Creek . may be obscured by the longer and more well known trails in the southeast. This was a relatively easy day at about 8 miles. The suspension bridge was amazing! It got our heart rates elevated but it failed to break us! Especially in warm weather, the slog out of Laurel Valley, up Sassafrass, over Pinnacle Mountain, and down, down into Table Rock will tax many a hikers glutes and quads. It was an evening of mixed emotion for me. Stairs. Hopefully I will get a good nights rest and be ready to go in the morning. Far below the Blue Ridge, the foothills undulate with as much unforgiving elevation change as the high peaks themselves. I had both time to be alone and reflect and time with great company to share in my experience. I suppose the guidebooks will have that and will purchase soon Thru hiked with a buddy and my dog. We finished with 5 miles on the day. The group will go by boat to Laurel Fork and hike the Foothills Trail to Canebrake, a distance of about 5.8 miles. It was breathtaking to be able to turn all the way around and see the smoky mist below me in every direction. I began at the southern terminus, Oconee State Park in Mountains Rest, South Carolina. 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